Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-09-16
FEW WET BLANKETS.

4 FEW 81 bLAN n
The Intelligence throws on the bridge
scheme what it intends to be several wet
blankets. II does it in this fashion; it
starts out:
The HtsITgeRcer, a. is well known, is in
favor of this project and Of all projects
that can rebound to the advantage OF
Wheeling and contribute to the prosperity
Of her people.
Indeed, History does not show At, and
the HtsgigcRccr's stand ou-Or more
properly, against-tbe bridge project IS a
matter Of history. 1t has worked against IT.
from the start. far reasons best known to
itself, but not entirely unknown to
Others, although every time the
question has been submitted to q
popular vote il has carried by an
immense majority and, in the name Of
common sense, why should it MOTT or
any other project that would in short
while double the size, Importance and
wealth olthe town?
Now let us examine the size and texture
of the ~IatsiTgalcsr', wet blankets. 1t says;
In the first placs, is there not reason to
believe that the union railroad bridge will
be built when there Is a railroad ready to
crossit?
II has been the lack OF Just this railroad
bridge that has kept, for instance, tie
Wheeling aud Lake Erie terminus at Bow
erstown. Ii has no inducement 10 come
any farther. 1t would not pay the com
pany To las forty miles more Of track SIM
ply to get to Martins Ferry, which u the
only important town j! would strike in
that distance. 1t will not pay 1t to
come a rod nearer unles the bridge be
assured sad il eau get 10 Wheeling, and,
subsequently,, on through East. 1t alone
will not build the bridge, nor does
Wheeling waat any one line to build and
OWL the bridge. But let the bridge be
assured and this road aud all the Others
will come only too quick. Their extern
sions to Wheeling have long been mapped
out and al the necessary rights and
franchises secured. Already the railrOuS
men are oa the alert Is our
news columns will show and are fastening
TO take advantage of Wheehug's move. IN
a day or two oar neighbOr, who seeUs to
be deaf, dumb and blind, will have sub
stantial proof Of this. Aud also that the
bridge can not be built sooner than the rail-
roads will be ready to cross it So much
for that wet blanket, which really seemsto
be not at all damp.
Then it says:
Can the city ralse the money to build it
without exceeding the constitutional limit
Of taNatiOny
As the REGISTER has already shown the
city has an ample margin OF over q quarter
OF amiiiiOn to 20 upon. Aud even were this
not so Weddings live business men would
not let the project lapse for want ofmOney.
The Union bridge will pay for itself in IA
wonderfully short time and Wheeling will
get a hundred per cent. on her investment,
besides, in additional population, enter
prises, wealth and u general boom"
Oar neighbOr then winds up with this
general flank movement:
The first thing to do is to ascertain what
are the present plans Of those gentlemen
who hold the franchise for a bridge. This
being aScertaiued, it may be possible that
the best thing for the city 10 do is TO do
nothing.
We have not the leaS, doubt that if it
depended on the htrVigsaeey'. aid the city
would keep on doing nothing for the next
century.
The plans OF the gentleman who holds
the bridge franchise are uot 80 dark and
occult rs the Iateiigsaccr wonii have its
helpless readers believe. Snfic9 It to say
that the gentleman aud the company Of
which he il tue hsad are not going to
''hog'' the franchise lor the purpose of
building a bridge themselves. Although
these gentlemen own the franchise, that
franchise is practically as much public
property as though it were still to be got
from Washington
If the LsteHigeaeer has aay HoIe wet
blankets to throw on Wheeliug's boom
the REGISTER will take great pleasure in
6ringing its whole stock dry.